Winged screw propeller for aircraft



April 14, 1931. ANDERSON 1,801,216

WINGED SCREW PROPELLER FOR AIRCRAFT Filed June 3, 1929 I n venior flow e Jude/157222 W Attorney Patented Apr. 14, 1931 PATENT OFFICE GEORGE ANDERSON, OI BIGGAR, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA WIN'GED SCREW PROPELLER FOR AIRCRAFT Application filed June 3, 1929. Serial N'o. 868,072.

This invention relates to screw propellers,

and. forms the basis of an aeroplane propeller construction of the type forming the subject matter of a pending application, Serial No. 354,062, filed by me April 10, 1929.

The present invention has as its primary object the provision of a screw propeller so shaped in cross section as to simulate a bird wing, and which is applicable for use with aeroplanes, or other like lighter than air crafts.

A salient object of the invention is to provide a screw propeller whereinthe blades are so formed as to create a partial vacuum on the top side of the blade whereby an air craft or like lighter than air vessel may obtain an increased lift in flight.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a propeller blade of the 2b screw type which is very simple in construction, durable and thoroughly efficient in operation, and which can be readily and easily assembled on the craft upon which it is to be used.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved propeller;

Figure 2 is an edge elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view showing the means of securing the propeller to the propeller shaft of an air craft.

With reference more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that my improved propeller comprise, a hub 5 and a pair of pro- .peller blades designated 6 and 7, respectively, radiating therefrom. In forming the propeller the blades are preferably formed integrally with the hub, and while I have herein shown the propeller as consisting of but two blades, it is to be understood that four or any other number of blades may be used in accordance with my invention. It is to be noted that each of the blades 6 and 7 are curved throughout their length as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. As also illuso trated to advantage 1n Figure 1 each of the blades gradually decrease in width throughout their length from points adjacent the hub to terminate in relatively narrow extremities. As shown in Figure 3, the blades 6 and 7 are in cross section so formed as to simulate the structure of a bird wing. Thus it will be seen that each of the blades is relatively thick at the forward edgethereof through its length as designated at 8, and 0 has its forward edge 9 rounded and extending downwardly and forwardly of the blade. Each of the said blades gradually decrease in thickness to taper rearwardly as at 10 to provide a relatively sharp trailing edge 11. Thus it will be seen that the trailing or rear surface or face 12 of the blade curves upwardly and rearwardly to a point intermediate the longitudinal edges of the blade and thence downwardly and rear wardly toward the trailing edge of the blade as in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing. a

The forward or leading surface 13 of the blade is so formed as to provide the relatively rounded forward portion 14, which forward portion extends from the rounding leading edge 9 of the blade to a point intermediate the longitudinal edges of the blade and then from this intermediate pointgradually slopes downwardly and rearwardly toward the trailing edge 11 of the blade to provide the substantially". fiat rear portion 15. Thus it will be seen that the blade of the g5 propeller is so shaped as to conform to the shape of a bird wing.

In securing the improved propeller to an air craftthe propeller shaft 16 is preferably provided with a collar 17 formed integrally 00 therewith, and a reduced portion 18 extendin forwardly of the collar as shown.

%'he reduced portion 18 of the shaft is provided with a locking means 19 to provide suitable means for keying the hub 5 of the propeller to the shaft. The hub 5 of the propeller is of course provided with the bore 20 extending centrally therethrough through whichthe reduced portion 18 of the propeller shaft 16 extends, and a counter bore 21,

a into which counter bore 21 is received the means of set screws25 able openings formed in the cap flange 26 and the hub of the propeller, all in the man- 7 ner clearly illustrated in Figure 4.

For the sake of explanation, it may be herein stated, that Fig. 2 merely illustrates the structural parts of the propeller as to the arrangement of the hub on the shaft and the tapered construction" of the blade.

' surface is an irre r wardly and away from the saidleading From the foregoing then it will be seen that I have gether with means for same to the propeller shaft of an aircraft, the blade is so formed as to conform to the shape of the wing of a bird, whereby an increase in the thrust of a propeller is increased during rotation thereof, since from the shape of the propeller it will be seen that a. partial vacuum will be formed on the rear or trailin side of the propeller thus increasing the e ciency of the propeller. Even though I have herein shown and described certain detail structural elements of my invention it is to be understood that the invention as herein shown and described is capable of certain changes, fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and ters Patent is 1. A propeller blade having a relatively thick rounded leading edge, and whose under ar surface curving upedge and merging into a substantially flat surface as it continues to the trailing edge, and whose upper surfaceis'also irregular, sloping rearwardly from the said leading edge and then desire to secure byLetdownwardly to merge into a substantially flat surface continuing to the said trailing edge'of the propeller blade, said blade graduthe longitudinal median of the provided a novel propeller toattaching the ally decreasing in width throughout the length of the blade beginning at a point adjacent the hub of the propeller.

2. A propeller blade which throughout 1ts length is curved, and has a convex upper and a concave under surface adjacent its leading edge, and merging into a relatively flat upper and under surface continuing from propeller blade to the trailing edge of the blade.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE ANDERSON. 

